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墨書 Inktalez
The severe pain coursing through my body still left me feeling as if I were on the brink of death. However, the most agonizing and soul-crushing moments had passed. My physical functions were gradually recovering; at this point, it was not just my vision and hearing that were returning, but also my ability to think.
My body was so weak that I couldn't even move a finger, and my eyes were only half-open, making it difficult to see clearly. Yet, this did not hinder my thoughts. In fact, all I could do was think; I was unable to do anything else.
Why did Song Guilong attempt to assassinate me? This was the question I most wanted to know the answer to, yet it eluded me.
In the moment I was attacked, when Cao Mingzhe leaped up to slay Song Guilong, he had shouted "Traitor!"
That voice drowned out all the chaotic sounds around me. I heard it clearly, and it was deeply etched in my mind.
Indeed, there was no doubt that Song Guilong had betrayed us. From the moment of the Lop Nur Archaeology incident, he had turned against us. This time, he had gone even further, using Liu Squad Leader's blood, along with his own and mine, to embody the meaning of betrayal.
If the creatures underground were indeed from an extraterrestrial civilization, as Jack and I suspected, then he had betrayed humanity itself. He was a traitor to all humankind.
However, there was one problem with this scenario.
His appearance was far too brief. From the moment I saw his face to when he plunged the fatal knife into me, there was only a single exchange of words.
From Cao Mingzhe's scattered remarks and analysis, it seemed he had been saved by Song Guilong and had been waiting for us there with a purpose. This meant that even if they did not know our whereabouts, they were aware that we would inevitably pass through that location.
As long as we were alive and our goal was the Eternal Gate at Lop Nur, that place would certainly be a necessary route.
This analysis confirmed two things. One was that Xiao Guolin had not deceived me regarding the direction of the Eternal Gate; it was indeed the path he pointed out to me. According to him, he obtained this information from a "reliable" source. Regardless of whether that source was trustworthy or not, this information proved credible.
The second point was that Song Guilong's familiarity with this place was absolutely terrifying.
Cao Mingzhe could never have known that I would wait for him here. The only person who could possess this information was Song Guilong. His purpose for coming here was singular: to kill me.
This was the most chilling and unbelievable thing of all. It surpassed even the fear of the reasons behind it.
Song Guilong undoubtedly knew about Cao Mingzhe's methods and his formidable abilities. Although I had learned from Xiao Guolin that Song Guilong also possessed terrifying powers, I had witnessed firsthand that Cao Mingzhe's strength was certainly not inferior to Song Guilong's.
Given this, Song Guilong attempting to assassinate me in front of Cao Mingzhe was almost a suicidal attack. Regardless of whether he could kill me, his own death would be certain.
If he acted out of self-interest, to prevent me from seizing control of the Eternal Gate, then his actions were far too reckless and unworthy. What significance would the Eternal Gate hold for him if he lost his life?
Traitor. This word echoed once more in my ears and mind.
Song Guilong was a traitor! There was no doubt about it. But what did his betrayal signify? This left me utterly perplexed.
At this moment, the term "traitor" seemed to carry a unique meaning. I sensed that my understanding of this word was ambiguous, yet I couldn't grasp where the ambiguity lay. It felt like a layer of window paper; only by breaking through could I see clearly outside, but unfortunately, my fingers were immobile, unable to pierce it.
Who should I trust? This question resurfaced in my mind once again.
In truth, the person I trusted the least—and should trust the least—was Xiao Guolin. I couldn't even be sure who he was or what he truly represented.
Yet many things corroborated the high credibility of his words. Most importantly, he not only did not harm me but also saved me and my teammates at our most perilous moment.
Song Guilong was undoubtedly the least trustworthy. His actions and death proved his eternal nature as a traitor. Therefore, what he opposed must be the correct path for us.
He was most adamantly opposed to my arrival at the Eternal Gate. In this regard, Cao Mingzhe's attitude contrasted sharply with his. Meanwhile, Xiao Guolin's stance was ambiguous, seemingly influenced significantly by Song Guilong.
Was Cao Mingzhe trustworthy?
Based on his and Song Guilong's attitudes towards my approach to the Eternal Gate, he seemed credible. He supported what the enemy opposed, which gave him a degree of reliability.
However, upon closer analysis, the three of them—Cao Mingzhe, Song Guilong, and Xiao Guolin—had differing attitudes towards the Eternal Gate; there were similarities but no completely aligned views.
Song Guilong's attitude was particularly distinctive. Apart from me, he did not oppose anyone approaching the Eternal Gate. This seemed to confirm Cao Mingzhe's suspicions about him: that he had control over the Eternal Gate and feared I would seize that control.
This also indirectly confirmed another matter: that piece of iron was in Song Guilong's possession. Mine was the original, not a replica.
Captain Zhou entrusted me with retrieving that piece of iron before he died.
As it stands, Cao Mingzhe might not know that the piece of iron he once held was a replica. Therefore, within our Expedition Team, the responsibility for recovering that piece must fall to either Liu Squad Leader or Secretary Chen.
However, both of these individuals are now dead. Without alternative personnel for this mission, it has effectively concluded from an organizational standpoint—unfinished yet ended.
For me, this is not merely a mission or an obligation to fulfill. It is simply to provide Captain Zhou with an explanation; during this operation, without affecting my primary mission, I would complete this task as a secondary objective. I hadn't even considered altering my original plans for it.
Yet this piece of iron has become increasingly enigmatic.
For Song Guilong to have control over the Eternal Gate here implies he possesses a key. Cao Mingzhe went to great lengths to ensure I reached the Eternal Gate alive; it increasingly seemed like I was being used as a key. Entering the Eternal Gate could allow me to heal my injuries and even possess miraculous effects akin to resurrection—more like mythology than reality.
Song Guilong has the key, so he can grasp or control the Eternal Gate. What can Cao Mingzhe gain by opening the Eternal Gate through me? Can he obtain control over the Eternal Gate?
If so, then his intentions are even more sinister. But I don't think so, because I am not just a key, not a piece of mindless iron. If opening the Eternal Gate grants control over it, then I should be the one to gain that control first, not anyone else. This is evident from Song Guilong's determination to perish with me.
In this light, entering the Eternal Gate and achieving Dequantize seems to be a more credible matter.
Cao Mingzhe is obsessed with the abilities he already possesses and the potentially prolonged life that could come after Dequantize, even Eternal Life. Meanwhile, Song Guilong desires permanent control over the Eternal Gate.
Is that so?
After some thought, I dismissed this speculation. Cao Mingzhe found Song Guilong, or vice versa. If Song Guilong has the ability to open the Eternal Gate, even controlling it, then my role in this matter is minimal; he might not even need me to enter the Eternal Gate and achieve Dequantize.
So why are he and Song Guilong still waiting for me? (To Be Continued.)
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